India has the potential to become the largest automobile industry in the world by leveraging quality, innovation, research and competitive pricing, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari said.
Speaking as the chief guest at the 66th Annual Convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Gadkari said the automobile sector would play a key role in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.
“We should also encourage the expansion of driver training centres, vehicle fitness centres and vehicle scrapping centres, which can contribute to the economy as well,” Gadkari said.
Mobility ecosystem undergoing transformation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special message to the convention, said India’s automobile industry was well positioned to expand its global presence as the country’s mobility ecosystem undergoes a fundamental transformation.
“Continued innovation, pursuit of excellence and a bold pathway towards Viksit Bharat will unlock transformative opportunities for the sector and accelerate the journey towards a faster, greener and self-reliant future,” Modi said.
Ministry of Heavy Industries and Steel, Union Minister, H. D. Kumaraswamy, in a video message as Guest of Honour, said the Indian automobile industry was strengthening domestic capabilities and advancing vehicle technologies.
“The Indian automobile industry is strengthening its domestic capabilities and advancing vehicle technologies, creating a strong foundation to transform the local market into a global hub,” Kumaraswamy said.
He added that the sector would continue to evolve as a cleaner, more inclusive and globally competitive industry, contributing to the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.
Focus on sustainability and safety
SIAM, President and Managing Director & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle Ltd, Shailesh Chandra, said the automobile industry continued to play a defining role in shaping India’s Amrit Kaal and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
“The Indian Automobile Industry continues to play a defining role in shaping India’s Amrit Kaal, contributing significantly to realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047,” Chandra said.
He highlighted the industry’s progress in aligning with global and national priorities, including sustainability, decarbonisation and safety.
India as global mobility and manufacturing hub
SIAM, Vice President and Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland Ltd, Shenu Agarwal, said the Indian automobile industry had demonstrated significant resilience and that the country could simultaneously emerge as a large mobility market, a global manufacturing hub and a technology leader.
“The Indian automobile industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience, and India can simultaneously become a large mobility market, a global manufacturing hub and a technology leader,” Agarwal said.
He added that the next phase of the industry’s journey would require looking beyond growth, with sustainability and resilience progressing together.
Building resilient and sustainable mobility
The convention concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening resilience in sustainable mobility, harnessing technology to improve India’s global competitiveness and advancing the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.
The discussions also underscored the need for continued investments in innovation, technology, skills, vehicle safety and supporting mobility infrastructure as India seeks to strengthen its position in the global automobile industry.